Crime
Rape trial set for May as Saundersfoot teenager denies charge
AN 18-YEAR OLD youth accused of rape in Saundersfoot has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court in May.
Josh Probert, aged eighteen, appeared before Judge Geraint Walters on Monday (Jan 19) for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
The court heard the case is progressing under the custody time limit, meaning it is being managed to a strict timetable while the defendant remains in custody.
Mr Probert entered not guilty pleas. The hearing dealt with case management issues and set dates for pre-trial stages leading up to the trial.
A four-day trial is listed to begin on Tuesday (May 26), with a certificate of trial readiness due on Tuesday (Apr 28).
In relation to bail His Honour said that these were serious allegations and that the defendant would remain in custody, despite his age and being of clean character hitherto.
Crime
Woman sentenced after being found ‘drooling’ in parked car following drug use
Motorist admitted being in charge of vehicle while unfit through drugs
A WOMAN has been sentenced after being found “drooling” in a parked car after taking a cocktail of drugs.
Police and ambulance crews were called by a concerned member of the public who reported seeing a man and woman apparently unconscious inside a Suzuki Alto parked in Kilgetty on October 16.
“The male and female appeared to be unconscious and were drooling from their mouths,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“The engine wasn’t running, but the member of the public was concerned that when they roused, they might attempt to drive away.
“She thought it was possible they had taken an overdose.”
When police arrived around 30 minutes later, they found the pair still slumped over in the back seat of the vehicle.
“They were still drooling and appeared unconscious,” continued Ms Vaughan.
“When officers spoke to Elizabeth King, it was obvious she was confused and inconsistent about the events.”
Subsequent drug tests showed that King, 32, of Meadow View, Station Road, St Clears, had several drugs in her system, including cocaine, benzoylecgonine, EME, pregabalin and norcocaine.
King pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs.
Representing her in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd told magistrates that the defendant is a recovering heroin addict.
“Despite this addiction, she has managed to remain of previous good character,” he said.
“This is the first time she has appeared before the court.”
King was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 surcharge. Her driving licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.
Crime
Dock man sentenced for threatening sister on social media
Court hears of grenade and sword threats during family dispute
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sentenced after threatening to throw a grenade at his sister and hack her head off with a sword.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Charles Bianchy, 37, became angry after believing his mother was giving money to his sister but not to him.
“He felt he wasn’t being afforded the same luxury and began sending his sister communications on social media,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.
“His social media posts made threats towards his sister, stating he would smash her head on a kerb, use it for target practice and throw a grenade at her. He also said he would hack her head off with a sword, and called her a nonce and a c***.”
Ms Vaughan said the defendant’s sister, Daisy Bianchy, urged him to remove the posts and warned that she would contact the police if he refused.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Daisy Bianchy said she believed the incident had been a wake-up call for her brother.
“I think this has given him a bit of a scare,” she said. “He was saying all these things, but you can’t make such unpleasant comments in public these days.”
Bianchy, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to sending communications threatening death or serious harm.
He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who told the court the defendant suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and experiences hallucinations, anxiety and episodes of psychosis.
“He certainly didn’t intend to carry out any of these threats, as throwing a grenade is something you can only do if you’re in the army,” said Mr Kelleher. “He’s deeply remorseful for what he did.”
Magistrates fined Bianchy £120 and ordered him to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs. An 18-month restraining order was also imposed preventing him from contacting his sister.
Crime
Tenby carer banned after drug-driving in Milford Haven
Motorist over cannabis limit during routine police check
A TENBY carer has lost her driving licence after being caught drug-driving in Milford Haven.
Samantha Jones, 40, was stopped by police on the afternoon of November 23 as officers carried out routine vehicle checks on Robert Street, Milford Haven.
After providing a positive roadside drugs swipe, Jones was asked to give a blood sample. Analysis later showed she had 2.3 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in her system. The legal limit is 2 micrograms.
Jones appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week where she pleaded guilty to the offence.
She was represented by solicitor Fenn Richards, who told the court the defendant had used cannabis for several years to help her sleep.
“She’s tried other medications but they haven’t worked,” said Ms Richards.
“She had taken cannabis the night before and didn’t think she would still be over the limit. But this has been a bit of a wake-up call for her, and since the incident she’s reduced her intake and wants to completely stay away from it.”
Jones, of Heywood Court, Tenby, was fined £346 and ordered to pay a £138 court surcharge and £85 in costs. She was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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